The Four Vedas

 © By Arati S Paranjpe  

What is Rig Veda?

One of the main important texts in the sruti tradition of the Hindus consists of 1028 hymns &10,600 verses all organized in 10 books known as Mandalas. These mandalas later were composed by priestly groups over the period of several centuries. It is based on clear principles, addressed to Rig Vedic deities like Surya (the sun), Rudra, Vayu (the air), Agni (the fire), Indra, Vishnu, soma (the sacred potion or the plant which was a fundamental  offering of the Vedic sacrifices) & other deities in form of stuti mantras (Prayers).

Each mandalas has Suktas (hymns) formed by individual strophes called (ric) from which the rig veda name originated. The thought of the followers of the hindu Dharma “Brahman is everywhere, God inside everybody."

What is Sama Veda?

It represents the force of spiritual knowledge and the power of devotion. Sama veda are the words of rig veda put into chants / music & are to be sung than read or recited. It is mixed of older melodies (saman) & the rig verses. The text consists of 1549 stanzas & a few mantras from rig veda.

sama veda has served as the principal roots of the Classical Indian music & dance tradition. So, the purpose of sama veda clearly is liturgical.

What is Yajur veda?

The Yajurveda (Sanskrit word yajurvedah (yajus meaning “worship “& Veda Meaning “knowledge”). It’s an ancient collection of mantras and verses used in worship & sacrificial fire rituals. Offerings typically done with ghee, grains, aromatic seeds & cow milk.

The prose mantras dedicated to religious reverence or veneration & knowledge, consisting of 730 hymns, 6000 mantras divided into 20 volumes.

What is Atharva veda?

The Atharva veda from word atharvanas & veda is considered as the storehouse of atharvanas, the procedure for everyday life. The oldest & final text belonging to the atharvanas & Angirasa poets, is the collection of 730 hymns & 160 common from Rigveda, with 6000 mantras divided into 20 books.

 © By Arati S Paranjpe